Lesson 10: Moving the Cause of Zion in Mighty Power

Joseph Smith described the building up of Zion as "...a work that God and angels have contemplated with delight for generations past; that fired the souls of the ancient patriarchs and propehts; a work that is destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, the renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family."  (History of the Church, 4:10.)

What is Zion?
Answers are found in Moses 7:19; 2 Samuel 5:7, 1 Kings 8:1; D&C 113:7-8; D&C 57:1-5; D&C 97:21; and in the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 362.
 (President Joseph Smith's Remarks--The Whole of America Zion--April Conference, 1844
Section Six 1843-44, p.362
President Joseph Smith said:--It is as impossible for me to continue the subject of yesterday as to raise the dead. My lungs are worn out. There is a time to all things, and I must wait. I will give it up, and leave the time to those who can make you hear, and I will continue the subject of my discourse some other time. I want to make a proclamation to the Elders. I wanted you to stay, in order that I might make this proclamation. You know very well that the Lord has led this Church by revelation. I have another revelation in relation to economy in the Church--a great, grand, and glorious revelation. I shall not be able to dwell as largely upon it now as at some other time; but I will give you the first principles. You know there has been great discussion in relation to Zion--where it is, and where the gathering of the dispensation is, and which I am now going to tell you. The prophets have spoken and written upon it; but I will make a proclamation that will cover a broader ground. The whole of America is Zion itself from north to south, and is described by the Prophets, who declare that it is the Zion where the mountain of the Lord should be, and that it should be in the center of the land. When Elders shall take up and examine the old prophecies in the Bible, they will see it.  http://www.boap.org/LDS/Joseph-Smith/Teachings/T6.html)

Sections 21, 23, 24, 26

Section 21 was given at the Organization of the Church.  Does the timing of the receipt of this revelation hint at the importance of its counsel to the fledgling church?
In vv 4-5, the church receives a specific commandment.  In v 6, the reason for the commandment is given.  Why does the Lord give us commandments?
In Section 21, we learn that Joseph had been "inspired to move the cause of Zion in mighty power for good" (v. 7).  In verse 8, it appears that Joseph may have struggled somewhat with understanding how to do that.  Do we have struggles moving the cause of Zion?  How may we overcome them?

Section 23 was given shortly after the Organization of the Church.  Five persons had sought to know the will of the Lord regarding them.  This revelation made clear what was expected of each.  What was each person called to do?  How are these commandments similar to each other?  How do they differ?  Do they apply to us today?  Do they move the cause of Zion?

Section 24 was received nearly four months after the Organization of the Church, and was given (along with 25 and 26) "at this time to strengthen, encourage, and instruct" the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.  In Section 23, Joseph is told he is under no condemnation (v 5), but in 24:2, it appears that he has in some way transgressed and requires repentance.  How can one escape condemnation in spite of transgression?
In 24:10, Oliver is told that "he shall not suppose that he can say enough in my cause."  Is there instruction for us in that scripture as well?  It seems that the Lord indicates that we cannot adequately preach His cause, yet we are still called to do just that.  What, then, qualifies us to participate with the likes of Joseph and Oliver?

Section 26 was received nearly four months after the Organization of the Church and was given (along with 24 and 25) to strengthen and instruct early Church leaders.  In the span of only two verses, much is made known.  In 14 lines, we learn that there will be a Conference of the Church in the west, that there will be revelation forthcoming to let them know what they should do, that the law of common consent was in effect, and that all things are received through faith.  What counsel in these verses may we apply to our efforts to receive "all things ... by faith?"

Additional Resources:

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/enrichments/enrichment-b-establishing-zion?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/sections-21-29/section-21-his-word-ye-shall-receive-as-if-from-mine-own-mouth?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/sections-21-29/section-23-strengthen-the-church-continually?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/sections-21-29/section-24-declare-my-gospel-as-with-the-voice-of-a-trump?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/sections-21-29/section-26-the-law-of-common-consent?lang=eng

Upon what principle will Zion be built?

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 254

http://www.boap.org/LDS/Joseph-Smith/Teachings/T5.html

How must we begin to establish Zion?

Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 118.

https://archive.org/stream/discoursesofbrig028407mbp/discoursesofbrig028407mbp_djvu.txt

Have we been released from the responsibility to build Zion?

Doctrines of Salvation 3.78.

What must Latter-Day Saints do to fulfill the requirements of being a Zion people?

Gospel Doctrine, Page 76.

http://boap.org/LDS/Doctrine/Gospel-Doctrine/Chap6-Purpose-of-Church

What are we accomplishing as we obey the Lord’s prophet?

Spencer W. Kimball, in CR, Apr., 1978, pp. 119-24.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/print/1978/05/listen-to-the-prophets?lang=eng&clang=eng

What lies ahead before Zion is redeemed?

Bruce R. McConkie in CR, Apr 1980, pp. 97-100https://www.lds.org/ensign/print/1980/05/the-coming-tests-and-trials-and-glory?lang=eng&clang=eng

 Additional Reading:

"Come to Zion," by Elder D. Todd Christofferson (2008)
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2008/10/come-to-zion?lang=eng&clang=eng

"Come: Let Israel Build Zion," by Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1977)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/1977/04/come-let-israel-build-zion?lang=eng&clang=eng

Questions for discussion:
What moves the cause of Zion? 
What has the Lord done to effect this? What has He asked us to do to participate in that work?
Below is a map of the Journey to Zion.  If the journey to Zion is spiritual, what signposts and landmarks would appear on the map?

"Triptych Route Map Mormon Pioneer Plains Cottonwood Wagon Trail Indians Journey to Zion"

(http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/church-history/pioneer/mormon-pioneers-roy-purcell-207549-print.jpg)